OSU Notebook: Deaton at No. 2
BY MATT BAKER & BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writers
Sunday, April 18, 2010
4/18/10 at 6:10 AM
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Freshman Johnny Deaton was on display Saturday as the Cowboys' backup quarterback.
The Sand Springs High School graduate finished 14-of-18 for 63 yards in Oklahoma State's spring game, but was intercepted on his first series and sacked later.
It's been a quick adjustment for Deaton, who was the Tulsa World's No. 1 high school player at the start of the 2009 season.
He missed most of the Sandites' season with a broken collarbone and struggled early in his first few OSU practices.
"Where he's at right now, I didn't expect him to be based on his first couple of practices," Cowboys offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said.
Deaton has cemented himself as OSU's No. 2 quarterback, Holgorsen said, but he'll face more competition in the fall when highly touted recruit Nate Sorenson joins the team.
Hunter's back: Tailback Kendall Hunter's 2009 season was slowed by an ankle-foot injury, but the rising senior looked like his All-America self Saturday. He averaged 10.8 yards per carry and 8.9 yards per touch and moved well in the open field.
Coach Mike Gundy said it was good to see Hunter running and that the 2008 all-conference tailback regained an edge he lost due to last year's injury.
"I'm up and rolling," Hunter said.
Anyiam out: Wide receiver Hubert Anyiam didn't play Saturday because of a foot injury. The rising junior — who is expected to be a starter this season — sustained the injury recently and had surgery to correct the problem.
Aniyam's recovery time is expected to be two months.
No brace for Lemon: Linebacker Orie Lemon didn't play Saturday but has no lasting effects after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament last August, days before the season opener.
Lemon doesn't wear a brace on his knee Saturday and said he's moved on mentally and physically — from the injury.
"I used to think about it," Lemon said, "but I stopped thinking about it because when I do think about it, I'll be holding myself back."
Future, former Cowboys: Among OSU's incoming freshmen who attended Saturday's game were Sorenson, Tahlequah Sequoyah product Chris Littlehead, athlete Justin Gilbert, and lineman Gerron Anthony.
Offensive tackle Russell Okung — expected to be a high first-round pick in this week's NFL draft — was also in attendance.
